Jan 23 2020, by Fleetwood Urban (Marketing)
Australia’s Big Day Out
Where will you be this Australia Day long weekend?
Can you believe we’re already more than halfway through summer? With the school holidays also nearly over, there’s still one major milestone to be observed: the Australia Day Long Weekend. It’s always been an important time for communities to come together, wave the Aussie flag and enjoy the great outdoors.
But given the challenging start to the new year in many parts of Australia, you could argue this year’s events will carry even more importance for local communities – after all, plenty haven’t had much to smile about of late.
As always, Fleetwood Urban creations will provide a backdrop to many Australia Day events, catering to families and communities all along the eastern seaboard. From creative play structures and BBQ shelters to inspiring access and shade projects, here’s a quick selection of locations we think are well worth a visit if you’re in the area. Young or old, there really is something for everyone to come together and enjoy – and hopefully help to bring a smile back to the faces of local Aussie communities.
Narrabeen Lagoon Multi Use Trail
Now fully complete, this awesome outdoor trail circumnavigates Narrabeen Lagoon and provides a fabulous outdoor resource for residents and visitors to Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Whether you’re into running, walking, BBQ’s, picnics, kayaking, swimming or cycling, it’s the perfect all-round Australian Day destination.
Fleetwood’s role: Design, construction and installation of one of the lagoon trail’s key access links: a 52-metre span bridge and walkway across Middle Creek.
Western Sydney Parklands
Known as Sydney’s ‘biggest backyard’, the sweeping Western Sydney Parklands are a great place to visit, all year round. They boast iconic play structures, BBQ areas and shelters for picnics, amenities blocks, as well as more than 60km mountain bike and walking trails. Sydney Zoo also recently opened at Bungarribee Park, providing another great family option for Australia Day.
Fleetwood’s role: Design, construction, delivery and installation of the hero swing set play element at Bungarribee Park.
Are you looking for a safe and accessible playground that caters to everyone this Australia Day? Then head to the recently-completed Oatley Adventure Park in Sydney’s south. It’s one of the first playgrounds to be delivered under the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play* initiative and is accessible to children of all ages and abilities. Have a BBQ, enjoy the playground and then head to the nearby Jewfish Bay Baths for a dip on Georges River.
Fleetwood’s role: Design, construction, delivery and installation of the all-inclusive play structure featuring climbing net, swings, play tower and slide.
Where better to spend Australia Day than one of Australia’s most unique outdoor play spaces? Located in Melbourne’s north, Highlands Sustainable Park boasts play structures built almost exclusively using recycled materials. It’s the creative centrepiece of a 1.5-hectare public parkland that sets new benchmarks for sustainable design and construction. Enjoy a picnic on the green with family and friends. Then go wild climbing ‘The Nest’ play structure, scrambling through the concrete tunnels and sliding down tyre slides.
Fleetwood’s role: Design collaboration, construction, delivery and installation of the play structures and play art items.
The Address, Point Cook
Just 25km from the Melbourne CBD, this vibrant new parkland sits on the western side of Port Philip Bay and makes a great day-trip destination. The visitor facilities really are first-class, with an integrated public shelter, a multitude of bespoke play items, basketball courts as well as a new public amenity building. Check it out with family and friends for an action-packed Australia Day 2020.
Fleetwood’s role: Full design and construct services including slender ribbon design, integrated shelter and play opportunities, concealed ground and frame connections, basket swing, tubular climbing nets and basketball nets.
Webb Dock, Port Melbourne
Webb Dock is one of Melbourne’s best kept tourist secrets, even for locals who’ve lived in the city all their lives. With its public boardwalk, 14-metre high observation tower and 6-metre outlook deck, it offers a stunning new perspective of the Melbourne CBD, Port Phillip Bay and the bustling Port of Melbourne – one of the largest commercial ports in Australia. Beyond the views, it’s also a great place to go fishing and learn all about the different ships that come and go into the Bay.
Fleetwood’s role: Detailed documentation for the three main structures, then project lead for the manufacturing and installation phases.
Set in native bushland between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, this expansive public park provides another ideal backdrop for Australia Day festivities. The creative shelter design resembles a bow tie and provides the perfect spot to enjoy a BBQ or picnic with the family, before strolling through the surrounding parklands. If you fancy a round of golf, you can even take your clubs along and head to the nearby Gainsborough Greens Golf Course, just a short walk down the road.
Fleetwood’s role: Design, construction, delivery and installation of large ‘bow tie’ shelters featuring an inverted roof, timber embellishments in the posts and timber rafters.
Bokarina Beach, Sunshine Coast
Located just to the north of Caloundra on beautiful Lake Kawana, Bokarina is one of my favourite recent projects – and it’s a must-visit destination for south-east Queensland families. Enjoy a BBQ or picnic under the stunning shade shelters, play in the expansive Bokarina parklands, explore the local wetlands using the new public boardwalk and then cool off with a swim at nearby Bokarina Beach. Perfect.
Fleetwood’s role: Design collaboration, construction and installation for numerous public shelters as well a bridge, boardwalk/wetland crossing and beach lookout.
Fleetwood Urban sends it most heartfelt wishes to all communities affected by the recent bushfires and floods. Hopefully Australia Day can help to provide some much-needed relief and optimism for the remainder of summer and beyond.
*Everyone Can Play Guidelines
Read Next
The Canopy… Unveiled
The last time we wrote about The Canopy, it was still very much a work in progress.
From concept to completion
Back in May we featured an upcoming shelter project at Notts Avenue overlooking the iconic sand and surf of Bondi Beach.
Everyone’s invited: Inclusive Play comes to Livvi’s Place
Inclusive play spaces are becoming a central feature in more and more communities across Australia.